Category: Sports

Reddick wins 2nd consecutive Xfinity Series championship

Reddick wins 2nd consecutive Xfinity Series championship
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) — Tyler Reddick won his second consecutive Xfinity Series championship by snatching the lead away from Cole Custer in a spirited season finale Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Reddick and Custer traded the lead three times in a single lap with Reddick finally surging his Richard Childress Racing entry to the front for good with 18 laps remaining. Reddick is the first to win consecutive Xfinity championships since Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in 2011 and 2012 and ninth driver with multiple titles.
It’s the only championship for manufacturer Chevrolet, which was shut out in Friday night’s Truck Series finale when Matt Crafton won the title in a Ford. Chevrolet is not represented in the Cup championship race Sunday.
Reddick’s title comes in his final ride as full-time driver of the No. 2 for RCR. He’s being promoted to the Cup Series next season to drive the No. 8 Chevy.
Custer finished second and runner-up to Reddick in the championship race for the second consecutive year. Stewart-Haas Racing announced Friday that Custer is being promoted to the Cup Series next year. Same for Christopher Bell, who finished fifth in the race and third in the championship picture, who was probably the title favorite but his Toyota dropped off in the final stage of his final ride before he moves to Cup.
Justin Allgaier, who won at Phoenix last weekend to make the final four, finished 14th and last in the championship race.
Reddick won the title last year driving for JR Motorsports, but he had already made the decision to move to Childress for this season. He had to win at Homestead to claim both titles.
Childress has likened the 23-year-old to Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough and believes the driver will feature heavily in the future of the organization, and Reddick is the first driver in the Xfinity Series to win consecutive titles for different teams.
“It’s all about Richard, man,” said Reddick. “He’s the one who believed I could be a champion even before I won the first one.”
Reddick ended the season with six victories, shy of Bell’s eight wins and seven from Custer. Reddick and Custer had a pit road confrontation during these playoffs and raced each other hard before Reddick used a crossover move to take the win for good.
“It sucks to come home second two years in a row. We will take it. We were a lot closer this year,” Custer said. “I am looking forward to next year and seeing what we’ve got.”
Bell has now lost two titles he was favored to win.
“We got beat my 17 seconds there,” Bell said. “For some reason I can’t hit on what I need to get around this place for a 30-or 40-lap run. I’m ready for the next chapter.”
The Xfinity Series driver title is the fifth for Childress as Reddick joins Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer and Austin Dillon as champions for the organization celebrating its 50th season. Childress also tied Joe Gibbs for a record five Xfinity owner championships.
The title was the first for Reddick crew chief Randall Burnett.
“Best team I’ve ever been a part of, amazing group of guys, and amazing driver, too,” said Burnett.
Chase Briscoe won rookie of the year and said after the race Stewart-Haas Racing has not yet found enough funding to bring him back in 2020. Briscoe said he’s hopeful the organization can put something together because he has no other ride planned.
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Vera Clemente, Roberto Clemente’s widow, has died

Vera Clemente, Roberto Clemente’s widow, has died
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Vera Clemente, the widow of Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente and a goodwill ambassador for Major League Baseball, has died. She was 78.
MLB and the Pittsburgh Pirates announced her death Saturday. She died in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
MLB says Vera Clemente had health issues recently. The Pittsburgh Pirates tweeted on Nov. 1 that she had been hospitalized.
Vera and Roberto Clemente got married in November 1964, according to the Roberto Clemente Foundation. Roberto Clemente was a 15-time All-Star with the Pirates. He was killed in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says Vera Clemente “impacted countless children and extended her family’s humanitarian legacy of helping those in need.”
Vera Clemente served as the chairwoman for the foundation, which works “to promote positive change and community engagement through the example and inspiration of Roberto.” Vera and Roberto had three sons: Roberto Jr., Luis and Enrique.
Pirates owner Bob Nutting called Clemente “a cherished member of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Major League Baseball family.” He says she “epitomized grace, dignity and strength in the wake of heartbreaking tragedy and loss.”
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Kahun scores twice, Penguins rout Maple Leafs 6-1

Kahun scores twice, Penguins rout Maple Leafs 6-1
By DAN SCIFO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Dominik Kahun and the Pittsburgh Penguins are stepping up in the absence of injured captain Sidney Crosby and several other key stars.
Kahun scored two goals and the Penguins routed the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 on Saturday night.
“It’s always tough when guys like (Crosby) don’t play, but we have enough good guys here,” Kahun said. “I think we showed that we can be a very good team. We just played solid.”
Kahun matched a career-high with three points, and 10 Penguins recorded points in the win. Bryan Rust also had a three-point game, with a short-handed goal and two assists.
Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin each had a goal and an assist, and Jared McCann also recorded his 100th NHL point with a goal for the Penguins, who bounced back from Friday’s 2-1 loss at New Jersey. The Penguins have won three of their last seven games, and have points in seven of their last nine games.
Tristan Jarry made 32 saves for Pittsburgh. Jarry has allowed two or fewer goals in four of five outings.
Jason Spezza scored his second for Toronto. The Maple Leafs lost their fifth straight, their longest skid of the season.
Kasimir Kaskisuo stopped 31 shots for Toronto in his NHL debut.
“I thought we were good until they scored,” Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. “Then they took over and they were way better than us. There’s no reason for us to look the way we did tonight.”
Pittsburgh played without several key regulars, including Crosby, who is expected to miss at least six weeks after undergoing successful core muscle surgery on Thursday. Forward Patric Hornqvist missed his sixth game, D Kris Letang sat out his fifth and F Nick Bjugstad also missed after leaving Friday’s loss at New Jersey.
Pittsburgh is 98-55-21 in 174 games without Crosby since the beginning of the 2005-06 season. In 123 games without Crosby, Malkin has 67 goals and 163 points. He has 327 goals and 848 points in 738 games with Crosby.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan believes Malkin’s confidence is growing.
“Usually everybody in the rink can hear it when he wants it,” Sullivan said. “I think that’s an indication of how invested he is into the game. When he’s feeling it, he tends to be vocal.”
Guentzel opened the scoring for Pittsburgh with a power-play goal at 6:38 of the first period.
The Penguins had been 1 for 31 with one power-play goal in their previous 13 games prior to Guentzel’s goal. It was their first home power-play goal since Oct. 10, against Anaheim, a 3 for 37 stretch.
Malkin gave Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead 2:06 later. Guentzel set up Malkin in the slot and he beat Kaskisuo to the glove side with a wrist shot.
“It’s nice to get out on top early,” Guentzel said. “For us to get those goals and kind of build on that was huge.”
Kahun scored 52 seconds into the second period, giving Pittsburgh a three-goal lead.
Kahun scored his second goal less than four minutes later following a coach’s challenge. Leafs’ defenseman Jake Muzzin tripped Penguins forward Brandon Tanev, sending him crashing into Kaskisuo prior to Kahun’s shot into a partially open net. It was initially ruled no goal, but Pittsburgh challenged and the play was reversed.
Sullivan believed it was a key moment that led to the lopsided final.
“If it’s a successful challenge, it’s 4-0, but if it’s not, it’s 3-0 and we put a real good power play on the power play,” Sullivan said. “It’s potentially a two-goal swing with a lot of hockey left. I just felt strongly that it was a trip.”
NOTES: Pittsburgh put Crosby on injured reserve and recalled Joseph Blandisi from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis. … Sullivan said before the game Letang and Hornqvist have been skating. … Maple Leafs F Trevor Moore did not play after leaving Friday’s game against Boston with a shoulder injury. … Malkin recorded his 18th multi-point game against the Maple Leafs. In 38 games against Toronto, he has 22 goals and 64 points. … The Penguins have won 10 of their last 14 home games against Toronto. … Pittsburgh has points in seven of its last eight overall at home. … Rust has two goals and seven points in his last five games against Toronto. … The Penguins have killed 20 straight penalties and 26 of their last 27. They have not allowed a power-play goal in nine games.
UP NEXT
Maple Leafs: Continue a season-long six-game trip Tuesday at Vegas.
Penguins: Host the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
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“Thru the Eyes of Sly Washington” WPIAL 3A Final, Aliquippa vs. Central Valley

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) In our second edition this weekend of “Thru the Eyes of Sly Washington” we are off to Heinz Field and the WPIAL 3A Championship. It was a rematch of a game from earlier in the season when The Central Valley Warriors dominated the Aliquippa Quips at the Pit in Aliquippa. The Quips had revenge on their minds heading into kick-off. Beaver County Radio’s Bob Barrickman, Tom Hays and Bruce Fry had the call of the action.

WPIAL Gold on the line and this time the game was a totally different  it was all defense in the first half  until Aliquippa found the end zone with 22 seconds left till the intermission when Running Back Isaiah Towler found Wide Receiver Chinua Soloman in the end zone with a 12 yard touchdown pass. Aliquippa took a 6-0 lead into the half after the failed PAT. The Quips and Warriors both had numerous chances to score in the hird quarter but the score remained 6-0 after three quarters in favor of the Quips. The fourth quarter told a differnet story when Central Valley found the end zone on a 6 yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Ameer Dudley found Running Back Jaylen Guy and the Warriors tied the game at six missing the extra point the game stayed tied at the end of regulation play.  In overtime The Warriors got the ball first and scoered on the first play when Wide Receiver Michael Barbuto took the sweep into the end zone from ten yards out. They added the extra point and made it 13-6, Then it was the Quips turn and on the second play of their possession Towler took it in from 11 yards out and made the score 13-12. The Quips, who are not really known for kicking field goals, went for two and the win Towler was stopped two yards short of the Goal Line and the Warriors would go on to win the 3A WPIAL Championship and advance to the PIAA State Play-offs. Central Valley will be off next week then play either Friday November 29th, or Saturday November 30th against a opponent to be determined, time and site will also be determined at a later date. The Quips finished another impressive season by making their 12th consecutive trip to play in a WPIAL Championship Game.

Check out all of the action from Heinz Field below in this edition of “Thru the Eyes of Sly Washington”  ……

 

 

“Thru the Eyes of Sly Washington” WPIAL 2A Semi-Final, Riverside vs. Avonworth

(Imperial, Pa.) In the first of two editions of “Thru the Eyes of Sly Washington” we ere off to Imperial and West Allegheny High School for the WPIAL 2A Semi-final as the upstart Riverside Panthers were playing the Avonworth Antolopes for the chance to advance to the WPIAL Championship next weekend.

It was a rough Friday night for the Panthers as they struggled to put numbers on the board. Avonworth started the first quarter off with a touchdown and carried that momentum into the second quarter with another touchdown. The Lopes missed the extra point  ending the half with a 13-0. Avonworth didn’t take their foot off the gas in the second half scoring  another two touchdowns. Avonworth headed into the fourth quarter leading  27-0.  Avonworth continued to put numbers on the board, invoking  the mercy rule but the Panthers refused to go down without a fight scoring two touchdwns in the fourth quarter.  In the end the Lopes cruised to a 41-14 victory and a trip to Norwin for the WPIAL Championship next weekend against the Washington LIttle Prexies who defeated Brentwood 20-14 in the other semi-final game.

The Panthers season comes to an end after an impressive play-off run that saw them being the only team out of the MAC to advance to the semi-finals. Check out all of the action below in “Thru the Eyes of Sly Washington”…..

 

Central Valley Wins 3A WPIAL Championship!!

(Pittsburgh, PA) In a rematch of a game that happened just three weeks ago where Central Valley did what not a lot of teams have in the History of the Pit beat Aliquippa 45-6 on their home turf. In the rematch at Heinz Field with the WPIAL Gold on the line the game was a little different. In the championship game it was all dwefense early r one where it was tied at zero. Through the second quarter the chess match continued until Aliquippa found the end zone with 22 seconds left in the half when Running Back Isaiah Towler found Wide Receiver Chinua Soloman in the end zone with a 12 yard touchdown pass. Aliquippa took a 6-0 lead into the half after the failed PAT. The Quips and Warriors all had many chances to score nd the score remained 6-0 till the fourth quarter when Central Valley found the end zone on a 6 yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Ameer Dudley found Running Back Jaylen Guy and the Warriors tied the game at six. In overtime The Warriors got the ball first and scoered on the first play when Wide Receiver Michael Barbuto took the sweep into the end zone from ten yards out. They added the extra point and made it 13-6 when the Quips got the ball in OT. On the second play of their possession Towler took it in from 11 yards out and made the score 13-12. The Quips, who are not really known for kicking field goals, went for two and the win Towler was stopped two yards short of the Goal Line and the Warriors would go on to win the 3A WPIAL Championship and will be off next week then play either Friday November 29th, or Saturday November 30th against a opponent to be determined, time and site will also be determined at a later date.

Avonworth Defeats Riverside 41-14

It was a rough Friday night for Riverside as they struggled to put numbers on the board. Avonworth started the first quarter off with a touchdown and carried that momentum into the second quarter with another touchdown. They were not able to get the kick for the second, ending the half at 13-0. The beat-down did not stop in the second half as Avonworth scored another two touchdowns, going into the fourth quarter at 27-0. Riverside did not want to take this lying down. As Avonworth continued to put numbers on the board, causing the mercy rule to go into effect, the Panthers fought back with two touchdowns. Despite Riverside’s efforts, the game ended 41-14 in favor of Avonworth.

You can listen to the post game here:

 

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Link for Riverside vs. Avonworth Friday 11/15/19

 

 

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WBVP-AM 1230, WBVP-FM 99.3 and WMBA-AM 1460’s Bob Barrickman and Tom Hays have the call from have the call from West Allegheny High School of this 2019 WPIAL Class 2A Semifinals high school football playoff game as the Panthers battle the Antelopes.